Clamping device for sealed containers



July 22, 1930. F. B. HAWES CLAIPING DEVICE FOR SEALED CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 6, 1928 Patented July 22, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FREDERIC B. HAWES, OF NEW IBEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS CLAMPING DEVICE FOR SEALED CONTAINERS Application filed August 6, 1928. Serial No. 297,582.

My invention relates to clamping devices for containers including as elements, a receptacle and a cover. My device is particularly adapted for use with chests where it is desirable to use sealing material between thereceptacle and cover to protect the contents from moths and other insects or vermin. With my devices, the fastenings may be readily tightened and sealing material be clamped between the receptacle and the cover, and'may be as readily released to permit the raising of the cover.

In the specifications and the drawings forming a part thereof, I have described and illustrated a preferred form of my invention, but do not confine myself to the particular construction or application herein shown as modifications in both may be introduced without departing from the scope of my claims.

In the drawings,

F ig. 1 is an elevation, partially in section of a hinge in which my invention is embodied in which it is shown in released position.

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation with the clamp ing device in clamped position.

F 3 is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

F 4 and 5 are similar views to Figs. 1

and 3, of a latch fastening, in which my invention is embodied.

Referring to the drawings, the front and rear walls of a chest are respectively indicated. at A A, and corresponding walls of the cover at B B, a sealing element of yielda ing nature being shown at C. In practice I prefer to secure my hinges to the exterior walls, and the latch fastening to the interior walls of the chest and cover, the clamping member being secured in each case to the walls of the receptacle.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the members 10, 11 are secured respectively to the cover and the receptacle by suitable means here shown as screws 12. In Figs. 4, 5 the latch fastening is similarly secured, the means for clamping being applied from the exterior in both cases. In the lugs, 13 extending from the member 10, is secured the pintle 14:. The element 15 rotatably mounted on the pintle, is provided with an extension 16, adapted to engage with a'clamping'element forming a V v 7 with a socket 19 in which is rotatably mounted the clamping element 20 having axial extensions 21, 22respectively journaled in the wall formed by the flange of member 11, and in the plate 23 secured as at 24 to the open end of the socket and forming a closure thereto.

V The clamping element 20 isv preferably formed as a disc with a flange portion 25., the inner periphery of which, 26, is eccentric with the outer periphery, and adapted to engage the abutment 17 of the element 15, which is positioned relative to the clamping element by the inner wall of the socket and the cover plate 23., and slidable between the lugs 18.

The pintle is thus rotatable in this element which is movable only in the direction of clampingas the elements and are drawn toward .the member 11 in the clampingaction, when the element -is rotated and the eccen' trio surface 26, engages the abutment 17 Any convenient means may be employed to rotate the clamping element 20, as for instance a knob secured to the projecting end of .21, but I prefer to use a socketed element indicated at 27 p, which may be removed when not in use. The flange portion preferably includes approximately one half the periphery jofthe clamping element 20, and is limited rotation either Way by anabutment28 projecting from the member 11 within the path ,of-liotationof the flange. I provide a torsion spring, one end of which is secured the member 11 and 'tiheiother to the clamping element 120, for the purpose .of exerting a yield- :ingpressure on the element 20 to retain the end 29 of the flange in the released position agamst-the abutment 2.8. As will be show-n this spring also operates to release the clamping member when it is desired to raise the cover. In the latch fastening shown in Figs. 4 and 5, details similar in character with those already described in connection with the hinge, are indicated by the same reference characters to which are added a prime character, the differences between the hinge and the latch fastening being such as will differentiate their respective functions as fasteners, and the clamping means differing only in the details.

The operation of my device is as follows with the cover closed, it rests upon the receptacle or interposed sealing material. The clamping element of the latch fastening is first rotated, followed by those of the hinges.

The frictional resistance of the clamping means of the hinges is sufficient to retain the sealed condition against the action of the torsion spring 28, and when it is desired to open the container, the clamping element of the latch fastening is rotated in reverse, and the pressure on the cover being thus released, the torsion springs return the clamping elements of the hinges to normal released position, and the cover may be raised.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a clamping device for a container having as elements a receptacle and a cover, the combination of a pair of cooperating clamp members respectively secured to the interior of the receptacle and the cover, one provided with an extension on which is formed an abutment, the other comprising a holder formed to permit the extension and abutment to project within, and having a rotatable element iournaled therein, and provided with a flange portion, the inner surface of which is eccentric with the axis of rotation, and adapt ed to engage slidably the abutment of the cooperating member an axial extension formed to be engaged by a key member inserted through the wall on which the holder is mounted, for the purpose of turning the rotatable element on its axis to engage the abutment on the cooperating element, to exert a clamping action on. the container and cover.

2. A fastening device for a container having as elements a receptacle and a cover, comprising in combination a pair of hinged memhers relatively slidable and respectively secured to the receptacle and the cover, one provided with an extension on which is formed an abutment, the other comprising a holder formed to permit the extension and abutment to project within, and having a rotatable element journaled therein, provided with a flange portion the inner surface of which is eccentric with the axis of rotation, and adapted to engage slidably the abutment of the cooperating member; an axial extension of the rotatable element formed to be engaged by a key member for the purpose of turning said member to engage the abutment on the cooperating member to exert a wedging action on the cooperating member to produce a clamping action on the receptacle and cover.

FREDERIC B. HAVVES. 

